iPhone Air Hints at Apple’s First Foldable iPhone: What Are the Odds?

With foldables everywhere on Android, do we really need a foldable iPhone?

Apple may be late to the party, but many fans are already loving the idea of its potentially first foldable. Meanwhile, some critics say it’s not very Apple-like.

It’s not the first time we're hearing about it. There were rumors that a book-style foldable iPhone would be released in September 2026, while some reports suggest a clamshell iPhone is already in the works.

With the release of the iPhone Air, it appears to be a test in the waters of a lighter, thinner design language that could easily translate into a future foldable. It’s less about specs and more about familiarizing users with devices that break from the traditional iPhone shape and weight — a step toward what might one day be the first foldable iPhone.

So, is a foldable iPhone really happening?

After some research, we can tell it’s quite high.

Most analysts and leakers predict a release in 2026. While delays are possible, prominent sources like Bloomberg and analysts like Jeff Pu and Ming-Chi Kuo suggest a strong probability of Apple's first foldable device launching in the next year, potentially as the iPhone 18 or similar model.

Here are the key details and timelines so far:

• Likely Launch Year: 2026 is the most probable release year, though some reports suggest a potential 2027 launch.

• Production Timeline: Foxconn is expected to begin production in late 2025.

• Design: The device is expected to be a book-style foldable, similar to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold series.

Why the Delay?

Apple is known for its cautious approach to new technologies. They tend to wait until the technology is well-established and perfected before releasing a product. This has led to a significantly later entry into the foldable market compared to competitors like Samsung.

Apple’s first foldable iPhone is expected to showcase high-end hardware with a premium build and a hinge designed to be nearly invisible, matching the company’s usual attention to detail. Industry insiders project a launch price of nearly $2,000 or even $2,299, putting it at the very top of the smartphone market – and 20% more than the Galaxy Z Fold 8.

Once introduced, Apple is likely to treat the foldable line like its other flagships, rolling out annual updates to improve durability, performance, and software integration.

While the company has not yet confirmed its plans, multiple reports from analysts and supply chain sources provide insight into the potential device, and here are some available answers to your frequently asked questions.

The device is expected to have a "book-style" design, featuring two displays:

• Inner display: Reportedly a 7.8-inch screen that opens like a book, similar in size to an iPad mini.

• Outer display: A 5.5-inch cover screen, comparable to the size of older iPhone Plus models.

• Crease: Apple is reportedly focused on achieving a nearly invisible crease by using a unique hinge mechanism made from titanium and "liquid metal".

• Thickness: Rumors suggest a very thin design, with an unfolded thickness of around 4.5mm.

The foldable iPhone is rumored to be powered by a new A20 chip, which is expected to be built on a more efficient 2nm process. It may feature a four-camera system: an under-display selfie camera on the inner screen, a hole-punch camera on the outer screen, and a dual 48-megapixel rear camera system.

Additionally, the first foldable iPhone could forgo Face ID in favor of a side-button Touch ID, similar to the iPad Air. Meanwhile, the battery may have a capacity of 5,000 to 5,500 mAh, a significant increase from current iPhones.

To save space, the foldable iPhone is rumored to rely solely on eSIM technology, without a physical SIM card slot.

Apple is expected to release a major update to iOS, likely iOS 27, that is specifically optimized for the foldable's large, dual-screen interface. This will likely include enhanced multitasking and seamless transitions between folded and unfolded modes.

Apple is steadily moving its foldable iPhone closer to reality. Insiders report that Foxconn is preparing to handle assembly, positioning mass production for as early as late 2025. Mid-2025 leaks suggest Apple already has a fully working foldable prototype in testing, showing that the concept has progressed beyond early design.

This aggressive timeline highlights Apple’s push to perfect the form factor before rivals can dominate the space. Still, the company’s high bar for reliability leaves little margin for error.

If engineering hurdles crop up—such as hinge durability, screen longevity, or yield issues—Apple could delay the launch, potentially into 2027. That said, Apple’s track record of refining products behind the scenes makes a 2025–2026 debut more likely if no major obstacles emerge.

A foldable iPhone now seems more like a matter of when than if, though the release still depends on Apple meeting its strict quality standards. If it launches as slim as leaks suggest, there may not be many thin, well-fitted cases available at first.

Thinking ahead about protection will matter as much as the phone itself. The main takeaway is that Apple looks set to change what an iPhone can be — and the accessories, such as a good thin phone case, will have to keep up.